Proposed commission may open door for Paine Field expansion

Just one week after commercial air service began at Paine Field, a new commission proposed in the state Legislature may look to expanding service out of Paine Field to help relieve stress and the growing demand of service out of Sea-Tac Airport.

Creation or expansion of an airport in Washington to reduce the use of Sea-Tac would be the focus of the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, which was created by legislation passed in the state Senate on Monday.

The bill passed in a bipartisan 45-1 vote, with Senator Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo) voting against it.